Importance for organic and chemical free food consumption is growing rapidly. Consumers ready to pay more money to get a quality food. Farmers need to hold this entrepreneurial opportunity to fasten economic empowerment. One of such efforts done by a farmers&rsquo; interest group was studied in this perspective. Formation and conduct of the group along with the group dynamics of the group members was studied and presented in this paper. Case study method was adopted; first hand information was collected with the help of well prepared interview schedule, thorough discussion with the group members and by critical observation of the researcher. Group dynamics index (GDI) was developed to measure the group dynamics of the group members. This paper attempts to expose a better farming practice for the poor and marginal land holders to fetch more income to them.

Cow based Natural Farming practice for poor and small land holding farmers: a case study from Andhra Pradesh, India

<div>Background: The cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] is a bushy annual herb having a deep rooted system and drought resilient leguminous crop grown on sandy soils of arid and semiarid regions. The production list of cluster bean is dominated by India as leading producers of the crop in the world contributing to around 75-82% of&nbsp; &nbsp;the total production.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Field experiment was conducted in Block-I at The Regional Horticulture Research and Extension Center, Kumbapur, Dharwad. The authentic source of Cluster bean seeds of Pusa Navbahar were purchased from Nadakatti seeds, Dharwad. Treatments are imposed as T1 (Package of Practice: FYM @ 10 t/ha, 25:75:60 NPK Kg/ha), T2 (Farmers Practice: FYM @ 10 t/ha, 12.5:37.5:30 Kg/ha), T3 (Natural Farming:&nbsp; Ghanajeevamrutha @ 1000 Kg/ha and liquid jeevamrtha @ 500 l/ha every fortnightly interval, with organic mulching) and T4 (Organic Farming: FYM @ 15 t/ha). 
 
Result: Among four different farming practices, higher plant height at harvest was recorded in package of practice (80.0 cm). The higher number of pods per plant and higher dry biomass production was recorded in organic farming (102.3 and 2.14 t/ha) respectively. 26.8 per cent higher yield was recorded in organic farming (OF) over&nbsp; PoP. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content and uptake in cluster bean was found significantly higher in PoP (2.13, 0.58 and 1.17%) and (42.20, 11.51 and 23.11 Kg ha-1) respectively. Natural farming treatment recorded significantly lower nutrients content and uptake.</div>

Studies on Growth, Yield and Soil Fertility Status in Cluster Bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub] cv. Pusa Navbahar under Natural Farming Practice in Comparison with Conventional Farming

Agriculture was, by default, organic throughout the world before the technique of manufacturing synthetic nitrogenous fertilizer was discovered in 1903. However, availability of agro-chemicals became very common after the Second World War and the agriculture started becoming more and more chemical based. Synthetic fertilizers were introduced in India during 1965-66 and their use grew rapidly along with the high yielding varieties during the green revolution period and Indian farming, by and large, became chemical based. However, by the end of the twentieth century the ill-effects of such chemical-based farming were very well understood by the common Indian people and demand for organically produced food started growing. Different methods and procedures of growing organic food got popularity among the growers, however, a sense of confusion on package of practices on organic/natural farming kept on growing simultaneously. This review article was designed to make various concepts related to organic/natural farming crystal clear for the readers. Principals of organic farming, crop cultivation strategies in organic/natural farming, challenges in organic/ natural farming and possibilities and suggestions in organic/natural farming have been elaborately articulated in this review.

Organic and Natural Farming- A Critical Review of Challenges and Prospects

<div>Background: Organic farming is an innovative farming approach. It is a low input based, climate resilient and low-cost farming system as all the inputs (manures, fungicides, insect repellents etc.) are made up of natural herbs and locally available inputs, thereby reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and industrial pesticides. 
 
Methods: To know the effect of cow-based bio-enhancers on cultivation of chickpea and fenugreek an experiment was carried out during&nbsp;the rabi&nbsp;seasons for three consecutive years at organic farm of CNRM, SDAU, Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat), India. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with ten different treatments. 
 
Result: The application of vermicompost 1.5 t/ha gave significantly higher grain and stover yields in both chickpea and fenugreek. It is evident from the data that the highest net realization of 58685 ₹/ha with the benefit: cost ratio (BCR) of 1.72 for chickpea whereas, 70939 ₹/ha and 3.06 BCR for fenugreek was obtained under treatment T1&nbsp;(Panchgavya 3% as foliar spray at 30, 45, 60 DAS). However, treatment T8&nbsp;(Vermi compost 1.5 t/ha) recorded the highest gross realization.</div>

Evaluation of Natural Farming Practices on the Performance of Chickpea and Fenugreek

Background: The Indian agricultural industry has faced numerous challenges, including heavy reliance on chemical inputs, declining soil quality, rising cultivation costs and farmer distress. Natural farming, which emphasizes organic and agroecological practices, has emerged as a viable alternative to address these issues and promote environmental and economic sustainability. This research article explores the potential of natural farming as a pathway to sustainable agriculture in India. 
 
Methods: The study focuses on the state of Andhra Pradesh, specifically in the Vizianagaram district, where the adoption of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) has been significant. A comprehensive economic analysis is conducted, comparing natural farming with conventional farming methods. Primary data is collected through surveys and interviews with farmers practicing natural farming and conventional farming methods. 
 
Result: The results highlight the perception and attitudes of farmers towards natural farming. While both Natural Farmers and Conventional Farmers acknowledge the feasibility and benefits of natural farming, they differ in their views on complexity, scalability, input preparation and the challenges of acquiring and maintaining Desi cows. Based on the findings, policy recommendations are provided to promote and support the adoption and expansion of natural farming practices. These recommendations include awareness and education campaigns, training and capacity building, financial support, research and development initiatives, collaboration and networking, policy integration, market support and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

Towards Sustainable Agriculture: Evaluating the Feasibility and Perception of Natural Farming in Vizianagaram District of Andhra Pradesh, India

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Farmers are not satisfied by the production performance of different crossbred Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Therefore, the study was taken to find out the effect of farm categories on milk yield and milk constituents of different HF crossbred at Chattogram, Bangladesh. 
 
Methods: This study was conducted from July 2014 to June 2015 in Chattogram Metropolitan Area (CMA), Potia, Mirsharai and Fatikchari upazilla (sub-district) of Chittagong, Bangladesh. For this study fourteen (14) commercial dairy farms in three different categories as A (50&gt; milking cows), B (31&gt;50 milking cows) ,C (11&gt;30 milking cows) with 98 cows for each of the 3 crosses named as 50%HF&times;50% Local (L), 75%HF&times;25%L and 50%HF&times;50% Sahiwal (SH) at their third parity were selected. Farms under the same category were selected based on similarities in feeding and other management practices. Quality of raw milk was obtained by analyzing the milk samples collected from an individual animal of the selected farm at an interval of seven days by using a milk scanner (Lactostar, Model no. 3510, Funke Gerber, Germany) in the Laboratory of Dairy Science of Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU). 
 
Result: A significant difference (P&lt;0.05) in milk yield and constituents except lactose and minerals was observed among the same and different crossbreds of HF under different farm categories. The highest daily average milk yield and quality were observed in different crosses of farms belong category A, but their performances decreased gradually with poor management systems in farms belong to categories B and C. So, farm category has a significant effect on milk quality and quantity in different crosses of Holstein. This study would help the commercial dairy farmers in choosing suitable crosses of Holstein-Friesian for farms belong to different categories.</div>

​​Effect of Farm Categories on Quality and Quantity of Milk Produced by Different Crosses of Holstein-Friesian Cows

<div>Background: Increasing demands of food, depleting land, degrading land resources and changing climate are some of the important factors driving the cropping systems of any agro-ecological zone in the world. Cropping systems have been traditionally structured to maximize crop yields. Now, there is a strong need to design cropping systems which take into consideration the emerging social, economical and ecological or environmental concerns. Legumes can provide opportunities for increased productivity to be sustained because of their adaptability to various cropping patterns and ability to fix nitrogen. Legume-based crop rotation helps to conserve organic matter, maximise soil nitrogen, balance soil nutrients, maintain soil physical properties and break soil-borne disease cycles. Moreover, with increasing fertilizer prices and emphasis of the government for doubling the farmer&rsquo;s income by reducing cost of cultivation, the current trend is to explore the possibility of supplementing chemical fertilizer with the organic ones, more particularly organic manures and bio-fertilizer of microbial origin. The current study is aimed to increase small and marginal farmer&rsquo;s income and to reduce cost of cultivation through legume based vegetable cropping systems and to find out best farming practices. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Field experiments were conducted at Organic Farm Holta, Department of Organic Agriculture and Natural farming, CSK HPKV, Palampur (H.P.) during kharif and rabi seasons of 2018-19 and 2019-20 on silty clay loam soil to study the performance of different farming practices in legume based cropping system under mid- hills of H.P. Himalayas. The experiment was laid out under Split plot design with three replications comprising of three sequences in legume vegetable-based cropping systems i.e., &ldquo;Soybean-Onion&rdquo;, &ldquo;Okra-Pea&rdquo; and &ldquo;Mash-Garlic&rdquo; under different farming practices i.e., Organic farming, Natural farming, Inorganic and Integrated farming practices. For comparison of different crops soybean equivalent yield and pea equivalent yields were calculated in kharif and rabi seasons, respectively. 
 
Result: In kharif seasons okra crop attained highest soybean equivalent yield followed by soybean and mash crop. In rabi seasons garlic crop attained highest pea grain equivalent yield followed by onion and pea crop. During both kharif seasons organic farming practices attained highest yield and was at par with integrated farming practices. Significantly highest yield was attained from integrated farming practices and was at par with organic farming practices in both rabi seasons. Highest net returns, net returns per rupee attained was in inorganic farming system. Highest cost of cultivation was found in organic farming practices.</div>

​Performance of Different Farming Practices in Legume based Cropping System under Mid-hills of H.P. Himalayas

Natural farming (NF) is an agricultural approach that avoids using chemicals and relies on livestock. It is designed to tackle both environmental and socio-economic issues in the agricultural sector. The foundation of natural farming rests on four key pillers: Beejamrit (seed treatment), Jivamrit (ensuring soil fertility), Aachhadan or Mulching (preventing water evaporation) and Whapasa (ensuring favourable microclimate). various plant protection formulations like Neemastra, Brahmastra, Dashaparni, etc., are incorporated into NF practices to shield crops from harmful insects, larvae, sucking pests and diseases. Natural farming inputs like Jivamrit, Ghanajivamrit, etc. are generally prepared from cow dung, cow urine, uncontaminated soil, jaggery, pulse flour, etc. However, NF plant protection formulations such as Neemastra, Brahmastra, Dashaparni, etc. are generally prepared from cow dung, cow urine, specific tree leaves, etc. Numerous scientific studies reported that the NF inputs and formulations have contain beneficial microorganisms, amino acids and other substances that not only enhance plant growth but also provide protection against pests and pathogens that impact a wide range of economically significant crops. Therefore, integration of natural farming inputs not only supports the well-being of crops but also fosters a holistic and sustainable approach to agriculture, ensuring a prosperous future for both farmers and the environment.

Harnessing Microbial Properties of Natural Farming Components for Soil and Crop Health Improvement: A Review

<div style="text-align:justify">Making and maintaining the agriculture into a profitable business in the context of increasing population, food security and depleting natural resources is a very complex problem. Providing contamination free food with rich nutrition is an immediate and future challenge besides maintaining soil and environmental health. Ecosystem based Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) recommends the use of organic crop rotation, compost and green manure, organic pest control etc. as well as mechanized farming operations. The present article discusses the importance and practicality of ZBNF on the basis of available literature. Its benefits and consequences are far-reaching. Hence an attempt has been made to describe the ZBNF system, its utility and sustainability for Indian agricultural conditions. The four major components of ZBNF; such as Jivamrit, Achchhadan, Bijamrit and Vapasa etc are reported to be very cost-effective. In addition to the description of these, discussions on natural insecticidal measures, major benefits and challenges of ZNBF have also been included. The need has been felt for the necessary policy interventions in the absence of detailed published scientific research literature and hence, a few salient points have been discussed. This discussion will be a contribution in taking Indian agriculture a step forward.</div>

​Zero Budget Natural Farming for Sustainable Agriculture: A Review

<div>Background: Recognizing the adverse impact of excessive use of chemicals on soil health, human health and environment, Government is promoting production of organic crops, fruits and vegetables etc. through various schemes. Demand for organic food items is also on the rise during the last few years. Number of cow-based bio-enhancers and botanicals have been developed by innovative organic growers/ associations and NGOs. But very meagre scientific information is available regarding such formulations. Hence, to incorporate these products in organic farming module, the present experiment was conducted. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted in summer season of 2017 to 2019 at Junagadh, Gujarat, India with cow-based bio-enhancers (Panchagavya, Bijamrut, Jivamrut, Amrutpani, Sanjivak and cow urine) and botanicals (Seaweed extract and Banana pseudo stem sap) in randomized block design with three replications. The cow-based formulations were prepared on farm as per the procedure given by National Centre for Organic Farming, Ghaziabad and botanicals viz., banana pseudo stem extract and seaweed extract (Kappaphycus alvarezii) were obtained from Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari and Junagadh Agricultural University, Okha. 
 
Result: The results revealed that application of FYM @ 5 t/ha significantly enhanced growth and yield attributes viz., plant height, number of branches/plant, number and dry weight of nodules/plant, number of mature pods/plant, pod weight/plant and shelling percentage and ultimately produced significantly higher pod (1823 kg/ha) and haulm (3270 kg/ha) yields, followed by Panchagavya as foliar spray @ 3% at 30, 45 and 60 DAS (1582 and 2846 kg/ha) and seaweed extract as foliar spray @ 3.5% at 30, 45 and 60 DAS (1423 and 2570 kg/ha). Application of FYM, Panchagavya and seaweed extract also increased uptake of NPK by pod and haulm over the control, while different treatments failed to affect the post-harvest soil fertility except available P which is higher under FYM, Jivamrut, Amrutpani and Sanjivak over the control. Overall, application of FYM and Panchagavya accrued higher net return of ₹ 55285 and ₹ 46229/ha with B:C of 2.21 and 2.12, respectively.</div>